Discussion

Temple Bar Update

Saw MCs recent review, and agree that the Risotto is a marvelous dish. By coincidence my DC and I shared that same plate last night.Very generous portion of perfectly prepared risotto.

I had a large nicely done bowl of mussels with chorizo. Decent dish, but not fabulous. Could have used a bit less tomato and a bit more winey-brothy-garlicky goodness. Also the chorizo seemed to have been simmered so long as to lose it's texture. A bit more garlic and broth with some crisped chorizo on top and the dish would have been a winner.

The shrimp toast was basically a miss. Very oily, nicely crispy, but not that flavorful. Almost leaden, just missing something.

Also had a nicely done side of asparagus.

The service was a total miss. Our waitress, while nice enough, disappeared completely for 90% of our meal, never checking in on us. Asked the hostess for bread 2X in a nearly 15 minute interval and the second time she gave us attitude before bringing it.

On the way out I did mention the service issues to the manager and he offered to comp me something or other next time I was in...

On a side note, the place was only 1/2 full the entire time I was there. With Scelfo in the kitchen this place has a shot. For the last 3 years or so it was on my "cocktails only" list and I would eat at West Side or Chez Henri. Might keep it on the food rotation, but they are definitely a bit rocky right now.

Had that dreamy risotto tonight. Yeah, that's right, I said dreamy. Mrs. Alcachofa had a decent burger. Her fries were great, also. WTF! I'm having risotto and the wife is having a burger! Need to go pump some iron and go watch some football or something.

The "Coca Cola Wings" or whatever they were called were good, I'm glad I tried them, but probably won't ever get them again.

Service-wise, after getting our drinks at the bar, our waiter was very nice and efficient. Checked in with us, the usual good things.

Snark-wise, I ordered a martini, and was about to be given iced gin. Had to ask for vermouth.

I think we just didn't pick right w/ the menu choices. Husband had eggplant sandwich., which only reached the level of OK. I was tempted by the tuna tartare, but decided to try the veggie plate. Just a very weird combo--1/3 of the plate was taken up by plain steamed broccoli. The middle was some sort of plaintains over an enormous bed of frisee with a mustardy dressing, and the final third (the best part of the plate) was good but salty spinach and the carrot latke w/ nice morels.

They were out of the cocktail I had hoped for (Violet flame) but the tequila cocktail I tried instead was tasty though not really cold.

Had the same service issues, though the waitress was nice. Our bread showed up from another runner., so didn't have StriperGuy's problem w/ that.

Maybe we'll try it again in a few more months, but West Side Lounge is a better option for us, at least for now.